Saint-Saëns: Piano Works and Transcriptions (Piano 21)
Saint-Saëns heard in a new way in a vivid and creative programme [RCh]
Igor Markevitch – Philips Legacy (Eloquence)
Recommended to all collectors of great 20th century conductors [GT]
Stravinsky: Symphonies (Chandos)
Superb new recordings of the Stravinsky symphonies with worthwhile extras [SB]
Dufay: L’alta bellezza (Arcana)
This disc is my first acquaintance with Alta Bellezza, and it is a most pleasant one [JV]
Christian Ferras (violin) (Rhine Classics)
A 5-CD, finely upholstered salute to a great musician [JW]
Bach: Flute Sonatas (TRPTK)
Aysha Wills is on pleasing form with this period-instrument recording of four of Bach’s flute sonatas [MC]
Schubert: Symphony Nos 5 & 6 (Challenge)
Well-crafted accounts which would sometimes benefit from a lighter touch [MG]
de Rore: Il divino (Hortus)
Madrigals and instrumental works with ornamentation and divisions as they may have been heard five hundred years ago [GH]
Walter Gieseking (piano) His Columbia Graphophone Recordings (Warner Classics)
A splendid collection [SG]
Fuoco Sacro (Naxos)
Very interesting content, marred by some sound issues and a jumpy narrative flow [DJB]
Sibelius: Symphonies 3 & 5 (Alpha)
Another winner in this series of Sibelius symphonies, suites and tone poems [RMo]
d’Ambrosio: Violin & Piano (Brilliant)
A collected look at the charming art of salon master Alfredo d’Ambrosio [JW]
de Hartmann: Orchestral Works (Toccata)
Fascinating music written on an epic scale played with skill and conviction – an exciting discovery [NB]
Stradella: La Circe (Dynamic)
This recording shows that Stradella was one of the great composers of the 17th century [JV]
Zwilich: Orchestral Works (Delos)
Beautifully crafted and entertaining music, showing the composer’s stylistic evolution [DJB]
Milford: Organ Works (Priory)
A very valuable survey establishing the quality and beauty of Milford’s sensitive compositions [NB]
Beethoven: Piano Concertos (BIS)
Astonishing virtuoso playing in a highly empathic partnership – the best modern accounts I know [RMo]
Baines: Pictures of Light (Divine Art)
Baines’ piano music always impresses and is well performed here, the songs less so [NB]
Stefan Askenase (piano) Concerts (Meloclassic)
Finesse and elegance in these richly recorded recitals [RCh]
Rimsky-Korsakov: Christmas Eve (Naxos)
Captivating performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s enchanting Christmas opera [CRo]
Kapsberger: Il Tedesco (Harmonia Mundi)
Kapsperger’s vocal oeuvre is very well served here [JV]